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Why do a dog's ears hang down?
There are several reasons why a dog's ears hang down:
Breed: Some dog breeds naturally have drooping ears, such as Beagles, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Poodles.
Age: If the dog is under 6 months old, its hanging ears may be due to its young age, which is a normal phenomenon. A dog's ears don't fully stand up right after birth but need a period of growth and development.
Bad mood: When a dog is scolded by its owner, it may become unhappy and hang its ears down. Also, when a dog is scared, anxious, or in a tense state, its ears may hang down.
Calcium deficiency: Puppies are prone to calcium deficiency, which can affect the development of their ear cartilage and cause their ears to hang down.
Breed
Some dog breeds have drooping ears due to their genetic makeup. Their ears fold downward and closely attach to their heads. Common breeds include: Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Pigs, Basset Hounds, Rottweilers, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Poodles, Bedlington Terriers, Chinese Crested Dogs, Dachshunds, Afghan Hounds, and Pekingese.
- Age
If a dog is under 6 months old and its ears hang down, it may be a normal phenomenon due to its young age. A dog's ears don't stand up fully upon birth but need a period of growth and development.
- Bad mood
When a dog is scolded by its owner, it may become unhappy and hang its ears down. Also, when a dog is scared, anxious, or in a tense state, its ears may hang down. In this case, the owner needs to comfort the dog and relieve its tension.
- Calcium deficiency
Puppies are prone to calcium deficiency, which can affect the development of their ear cartilage and cause their ears to hang down. Early symptoms include unstable walking, shaking while walking, and lethargy. As the calcium deficiency worsens, skeletal abnormalities may occur, such as bowlegs, humped backs, and S-shaped spines, which are collectively known as rickets.
Therefore, once a dog shows symptoms of calcium deficiency, it is recommended to promptly supplement calcium. Liquid calcium is a good option because it is quickly absorbed and effective. Additionally, taking the dog for occasional sun exposure can help with calcium absorption.